Harwich News

A new light is about to shine on Harwich's cultural stage as a result of a collaboration between the Harwich Cranberry Arts and Music Festival, Inc., and the Harwich Cultural Center, located in the former Harwich Middle School on Sisson Road.
Starting on Thursday, July 12 and continuing through Thursday, Aug. 23, Cranfest In The Courtyard will offer a series of acoustic concerts to be held, weather permitting,...

HARWICH — It has been a long time coming, but the former gas station property in Harwich Center could be heading for major renovations.
The historic district and historical commission will conduct a certificate of appropriateness hearing in two weeks for a proposal for a new convenience store and two apartments on the site.
The 27,441-square-foot lot, which has a small, dilapidated structure that housed the...

HARWICH — “Errors were made, but nothing that rises to a major level,” Interim Assistant Town Administrator Robert Lawton told selectmen Monday night regarding the use of funds and the decision-making process for the pet burial ground project on Queen Anne Road.
“There was no intent to hide anything,” Lawton said.
After speaking with Cemetery Administrator Robbin Kelley, Lawton said he found she understood ...

WEST HARWICH — The former fishhouse on the Herring River is filled with happy clams.
With legal and regulatory issues related to the reconstruction of the former Lucas fishhouse at the edge of the river settled, Aquacultural Research Corporation of Dennis is now using the building to nurture seed quahogs in an effort to meet the increasing demand for shellfish by aquaculturalists.
“The quahogs are happy and...

HARWICH — The groundbreaking for the new East Harwich Fire Station should take place in the next couple of weeks. The town is currently awaiting a ruling from the state Attorney General's Office on a bid protest filed by the Sheet Metal Workers Union in Boston.
Town Administrator Christopher Clark said traditionally the general contract does not get awarded until the AG's Office advises on such challenges. The...

HARWICH — Alleging that the Wequassett Resort and Golf Club and the Wychmere Harbor Club are responsible for significant nitrogen pollution of coastal waters, the Conservation Law Foundation has put the owners of the resorts on notice of its intent to file suit under the federal Clean Waters Act.
Under the law, citizens and organizations can sue alleged violators after first providing 60 days notice. Last Thur...

HARWICH — It's a changing world with a lot less tolerance and a lot more violence, and public safety officials have to make adjustments accordingly when responding to calls. That includes providing the proper safety armor for fire department personnel.
“It's a far cry from when I started this job,” Deputy Fire Chief David LeBlanc said of some of the conditions fire personnel across the nation find themselves f...

HARWICH — The county dredge Codfish was scheduled to moved into the Allen Harbor channel this week to remove 8,000 cubic yards of sand. Harbormaster John Rendon said the sand will be used as nourishment for nearby public beaches.
The Codfish just finished dredging the Saquatucket Harbor channel where material was placed on both public and private beaches in the area. The town received several bids from shorefr...

HARWICH — The herring migration got off to a late start this year in the Herring River, but in recent weeks it has proven to be strong. More than 800,000 fish have passed through the electronic fish counter in the ladder at Johnson's flume in West Harwich.
Early April is traditionally when the anadromous fish begin their migration from ocean waters to headwater ponds to spawn. But there was little movement at ...

HARWICH — The town and local beachgoers received some good news this week: the closure of one-third of the Red River Beach parking area and beach due to nesting piping plovers will be scaled back.
The town was required to close a portion of the parking lot and limit public access to the beach because of the presence of four piping plover chicks. Piping plovers are considered a locally threatened species and ar...

HARWICH — The Cape Cod Regional Technical High School building project will go before the planning board next Tuesday night for a site plan review special permit and a use special permit. Construction on the new 221,880-square-foot high school is expected to start in December.
The conservation commission earlier this month issued a negative finding on a request for determination of applicability to remove the ...

HARWICH — Former selectman Peter Hughes will serve as the town's next representative to the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates, filling the unexpired term of Selectman Ed McManus, who stepped down when he was elected selectman in May.
The town had 30 days from the time it was notified of the vacancy by the clerk of the assembly to make an appointment or the decision would rest with the assembly. Selectmen...